According to the letter sent by New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen, he said he is aware of the proposed changes for the agency in Chenango County and sent emails to the county supervisor, attorney and all local elects, informing them of the federal and state laws for the office for the aging. The letter included title and funding guidelines and also addressed the legal requirement to hold a public hearing on any proposed changes and those changes must be approved by NY's office.

NORWICH — Concerned community members for the Area Agency on Aging (AAOA), will hold an informational meeting at 2 p.m., Friday, May 22, in the Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich.

The meeting will be in support of the AAOA programs with discussions on senior community services, the possible restructure of the agency, downsizing of employees, and an overview of the departments’ budget.

Speakers will be county workers and volunteers, including retired AAOA Budget Technician Ellen Cleveland, with over 30 years employment with the county, and former Senior Outreach/HICAP Coordinator, Jane Muserilli.

Cleveland said this meeting was organized after a recent proposal was made by the Chenango County Health and Human Services Committee to eliminate nine AAOA positions and restructure the department under the Department of Human Services.

She said they only want the best for seniors. They want them to thrive, live in their homes as long as possible, and receive services of home delivered meals, housekeeping and more. 

“Our seniors mean everything to us,” said Cleveland. “If a proposal is approved and the restructure takes place, this could be the end of the agency.”

Officials said the proposal was made because the department had recently over invested in staff costs and now needed to be adjusted.

Although the proposal was not approved by New York State nor a public hearing given, the resolution was presented to the board and was swiftly voted against with a 15 to 6 defeat, but the board will revisit the issue in the near future.

According to the letter sent by New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen, he said he is aware of the proposed changes for the agency in Chenango County and sent emails to the county supervisor, attorney and all local elects, informing them of the federal and state laws for the office for the aging.

The letter included title and funding guidelines and also addressed the legal requirement to hold a public hearing on any proposed changes and those changes must be approved by his office.

To submit questions for the meeting question-and-answer period, email  Dibcats@aol.com.